Liquid fabric softening compositions comprising flame retardant

ABSTRACT

Liquid fabric softening compositions comprise a flame retardant. The liquid fabric softening compositions preferably further comprise a fabric softening active. In another embodiment of the invention, the present compositions comprise a flame retardant, wherein the flame retardant is a phosphorus-containing fabric softener. In another embodiment of the invention, the present compositions comprise no greater than about 21%, by weight of the composition, of a fabric softener active and at least about 0.5%, by weight of the composition, of a silicone material. The present compositions can be used to treat all types of fabrics to provide improved fabric softening and freshness, while minimizing the risk of flammability associated with cotton-containing fluffier fabrics, such as fleece and terry cloth, when treated with liquid fabric softening compositions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisionalU.S. Patent Application No. 60/482,976, filed Jun. 27, 2003,incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to fabric care compositions comprising aflame retardant. The present compositions are preferably used to treatfabrics to provide fabric softening while minimizing the risk offlammability of certain cotton-containing fluffier fabrics when treatedwith liquid fabric softening compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Liquid fabric softening compositions are generally used during the rinsecycle of a typical laundry process to provide improved softness andfreshness to the fabrics being laundered.

Some cotton-containing fluffier fabrics, such as fleece and terry cloth,tend to be more flammable than other types of fabrics. By increasing thefluffiness of these types of fabrics, the use of liquid fabric softeningcompositions on these types of fabrics may potentially increase theflammability of these types of fabrics.

There is thus a need to develop an improved liquid fabric softeningcomposition that provides fabric softening and freshness, whileminimizing the risk of flammability of certain cotton-containingfluffier fabrics when treated with liquid fabric softening compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to liquid fabric softening compositionscomprising a fabric softening active and a flame retardant. Preferredflame retardants for incorporation in the present compositions includephosphorus containing materials, phosphorus containing materials alsocomprising an amine moiety or a carboxylate moiety, phosphoruscontaining materials capable of dual functionality as fabric softeningcomponents, cationic starch comprising a phosphorus moiety, or mixturesthereof. In a first embodiment of the present invention, thecompositions typically comprise flame retardant at a level of from about0.001% to about 60%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 40%, and morepreferably from about 0.1% to about 10%, by weight of the composition.In a second embodiment of the invention, the present compositionscomprise no greater than about 21%, by weight of the composition, of afabric softener active and at least about 0.5%, by weight of thecomposition, of a silicone material. In a third embodiment of theinvention, the present compositions comprise a flame retardant, whereinthe flame retardant is a phosphorus-containing fabric softener. Thepresent compositions can be used to treat all types of fabrics toprovide improved fabric softening and freshness, while minimizing therisk of flammability associated with cotton-containing fluffier fabrics,such as fleece and terry cloth, when treated with liquid fabricsoftening compositions.

All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated herein byreference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as anadmission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation giventhroughout this specification will include every lower numericallimitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expresslywritten herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout thisspecification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if suchhigher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Everynumerical range given throughout this specification will include everynarrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range,as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

All parts, ratios, and percentages herein, in the specification,examples, and claims, are by weight and all numerical limits are usedwith the normal degree of accuracy afforded by the art, unless otherwisespecified.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Flame Retardants

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the present liquid fabricsoftening compositions comprise a flame retardant typically at a levelof from about 0.001% to about 60%, preferably from about 0.01% to about40%, and more preferably from about 0.1% to about 10%, by weight of thecomposition. The flame retardant is present at an effective level toreduce the burn time of fluffier fabric. Flame retardants can beavailable as solids, liquids, solutions, emulsions, dispersions,slurries, or any form that can be formulated into the fabric softenercomposition.

Phosphorus-Containing Compounds

A variety of phosphorus-containing compounds are suitable as a flameretardant in the present compositions. General classes ofphosphorus-containing compounds suitable as a flame retardant hereininclude, but are not limited to, classes and types of materials as wellas individual materials disclosed in the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia ofChemical Technology 4^(th) Edition Vol. 10 in the subsection “PhosphorusFlame Retardants” under the chapter heading “Flame Retardants” and inVol. 10 in the chapter titled “Flame Retardants for Textiles” and alsoin the Handbook of fiber Science and Technology: Vol. II ChemicalProcessing of Fibers and Fabrics Functional Finishes Part B, Eds. M.Lewin and S. B. Sello, “Chapter 1 Flame Retardance of Fabrics”Industrial Solvents Handbook 4^(th) Ed. Ed. By E. Flick, Noyes DataCorp., Park Ridge, N.J. 1991, Section 15.

Phosphorus-containing compounds are typically most effective when thedeposition of the phosphorus-containing compound onto fabric results inthe presence of at least about 0.001 milligram (“mg”) of phosphorus pergram of treated fabric, preferably at least about 0.005 mg of phosphorusper gram of treated fabric, more preferably at least about 0.02 mg ofphosphorus per gram of treated fabric, even more preferably at leastabout 0.1 mg of phosphorus per gram of treated fabric, still morepreferably at least about 0.5 mg of phosphorus per gram of treatedfabric, and even still more preferably at least about 1 mg of phosphorusper gram of treated fabric. When formulating phosphorus-containingcompounds in a liquid fabric softening composition comprising fabricsoftening actives, such as di-tail quaternary ammonium actives, it ispreferred that the phosphorus-containing compounds are neutral or have apositive charge. Compounds with a high weight percent of phosphorus aretypically preferred. Typically, the phosphorus-containing compoundsherein will comprise at least about 0.1%, preferably at least about 1%,more preferably at least about 5%, even more preferably at least about8%, and still more preferably at least about 10% of phosphorus, byweight of the phosphorus-containing compound. Preferably, thephosphorus-containing compounds, especially salts, decompose at atemperature of less than 600° C. To prevent the formation of salts withhigh decomposition temperatures, it can be useful and preferred in someapplications to functionalize the oxygens or nitrogens bonded tophosphorus with a covalently bonded group that will not exchange withsalt to prevent formation of salts with high decomposition temperatures.

Phosphorus-containing compounds suitable herein include phosphoric acid,phosphate salts, phosphate esters, phosphate amides, phosphorus acid,phosphite salts, phosphite salt derivatives, phosphonic acid,phosphonate salts, phosphonate esters, phosphonate amides, phosphoruscompounds containing nitrogen moieties, phosphorus compounds containingcarboxylic acids, phosphorus compounds containing carboxylic esters,phosphonium salts, polyethylene amine polymers comprising phosphorussubstituents, cationic starch comprising a phosphorus substituent, ormixtures thereof.

Acids of Phosphorus and Their Salts and Derivatives

Phosphoric Acid and the Phosphate Salts, Esters and Amides

Phosphorus acids and phosphates have three general structures disclosedbelow:

-   -   wherein each A is independently an oxygen atom or a nitrogen        atom, preferably an oxygen atom; and each R is independently        selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, positively        charged metal counterions, moieties comprising amines, moieties        comprising ammonium ions, and moieties comprising hydrocarbons.        Positively charged metal counterions are selected from the group        consisting of metal ions in groups IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA,        VIIA, VIII, IB, and IIB; especially preferred are Na⁺, K⁺, and        Al³⁺, and tin ions, and less preferred but acceptable are Ca²⁺        and Mg²⁺ ions. The above mentioned moieties comprising amines or        ammonium ions include, but are not limited to, the following        structure:        N(R′)₄ ⁺    -   wherein each R′ is independently selected from the group        consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbons comprised entirely of        carbon and hydrogen, and hydrocarbons comprising moieties with        atoms more electronegative than carbon, preferably oxygen,        nitrogen, halogens, especially chlorine and bromine, sulfur,        phosphorus, and combinations of electronegative atoms and        wherein the hydrocarbon comprises one to about 30 carbons. The        hydrocarbons can be linear, branched, saturated, unsaturated,        cyclic, aromatic, or combinations of these structural        configurations; it is acceptable for moieties comprising        electronegative atoms to interrupt the hydrocabon. It is        acceptable for N(R′) to have more than one point of connectivity        to a phosphorus moiety or to connect more than one phosphorus        moiety.

Hydrocarbons suitable for R comprise from about 1 to about 150 carbonatoms, preferably less than about 100 carbon atoms, and more preferablyless than about 50 carbon atoms. It is acceptable for the R group tolink to a phosphate with more than one binding site or bond and it isalso acceptable for the R group to link together more than one phosphatewith multiple binding sites or bonds. It is acceptable for thephosphate-containing compounds to be single molecules, oligomers, orpolymers. Additionally, the R group can be neutral or have positiveand/or negative charges.

Nonlimiting examples of phophorus salts and acids acceptable for thepresent invention include orthophosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid,sodium orthophosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, and sodium tripolyphosphate(“STPP”).

Other nonlimiting examples include compounds comprising an ammonium ionas well as well as compounds comprising polyammonium ions and/or thosecompounds that have more than one connection to a phosphorus moiety ormoieties, such as melamine orthophosphate, pentaerythritol phosphate bismelaminium salt or guanidine tripolyphosphates, as described in JP52085599 and JP 60259676, and dibromoneopentyl phosphate melamine saltas described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,103. Nonlimitingcommercially-available compounds include Antiblaze® TR, Antiblaze® CLavailable from Rhodia, Melapur® pyrophosphate, Melapur® orthophosphateavailable from DSM, melamine pyrophosphate and melamine orthophosphatefrom Hummel Cronton, Inc.

Nonlimiting examples of the present invention include phosphate andphosphoamide compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,678,086; U.S. Pat.No. 4,503,002; U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,385; U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,449; U.S.Pat. No. 4,215,064; U.S. Pat. No. 3,686,368; U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,402;U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,348; and U.S. Application No. 2003/0003358 A1;melamine-phosphate salts derivatized with halogenated organic groups asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,103; amine salts of phosphates asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,421; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,141; andreaction products as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,156. Nonlimitingcommercially-available compounds include Phosflex® 4, Phosflex® 21L,Phosflex® 21P, Phosflex® 31L, Phosflex® 31P, Phosflex® 41L, Phosflex®41P, Phosflex® 61B, Phosflex® 71B Phosflex® 72B, Phosflex® 362,Phosflex® 370, Phosflex®390, Phosflex® HF, Phosflex® Lindol, Phosflex®Lindol XP Plus, Phosflex® T-BEP, Phosflex® TPP, and the blends Phosflex®314, Phosflex® 321, Phosflex® 327 Phosphoflex® 72B, Fyrol FR-2, and thelike available from Akzo Nobel Phosphorus Chemicals; Emphos® CS 1361from Eastech Chemical, Inc., Arlasilk® Phospholipid PTC, Arlasilk®Phospholipid PTS, Arlasilk® Phospholipid EFA, Arlatone® MAP 230T-60 fromUniqema, lecithin compounds produced by Archer Daniels Midland, Degussa,Monsanto and other suppliers as well as compounds fitting the structuredescriptions of phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, andphosphatidylinositols.

Further nonlimiting examples of phosphate-containing compounds hereinfurther include polymers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,101. Somenon-limiting commercially-available compounds of phosphates combinedwith R groups to form oligomeric or polymeric materials are Pluracol®684 from BASF and Exolit® 413 from Hoeschst-Celanese, a material thatcontains a halogen as well as phosphorus. Fyroflex® BDP and Fyrol® 51,which is a phosphorus-rich oligomer made by reaction of phosphoruscontaining compounds with ethylene oxide, both available from AkzoNobel. Other phosphorus-containing polymers made by reaction of analkylene oxide, especially polypropylene oxide, with phosphoric orpolyphosphoric acid are described in the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia ofChemical Technology 4^(th) Edition Vol. 10 in the subsection “PhosphorusFlame Retardants” under the chapter heading “Flame Retardants”.

Phosphorus Acid and the Phosphite Salts and Derivatives

Phosphorus acid and the phosphite salts and derivatives have the generalstructure below:

-   -   wherein A and R have the same meanings as defined in the        previous description of phosphoric acid and the phosphate salts        herein above. It is acceptable for the R group to bind or bond        to a phosphite at more than one site or for the R group to        connect several phosphite groups. It is acceptable for        phosphorus acid/phosphite flame retardants of the present        invention to be single molecules, oligomers, or polymers. Some        non-limiting commercially-available compounds include Doverphos®        4, Doverphos® HiPure 4, Doverphos® 8, Doverphos® 10, Doverphos®        53, Doverphos® 613, Doverphos® 675, Doverphos® S480, all        available from Dover Chemical Corporation. Doverphos® S-9228,        Doverphos® S-680, and Doverphos® 1220, are examples of compounds        having an R group that bonds to more than one phosphite group.

Phosphonic Acid and the Phosphonate Salts, Esters, and Amides

Phosphonic acid and phosphonate salts and esters have the followinggeneral structure:

-   -   wherein A and R have the same meanings as defined in the        previous description of phosphoric acid and the phosphate salts        herein; each R′, R″, and R′″ are independently either hydrogen        or R as defined in the previous description of phosphoric acid        and the phosphate salts herein above. It is acceptable for R,        R′, R″, and R′″ to bind or bond to a phosphonate at more than        one site or for such groups to connect several phosphonate        groups. Nonlimiting examples of acceptable compounds include        diethylene triamine pentamethyl phosphonic acid, phosphomaleate,        and compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,602; U.S. Pat.        No. 3,870,771; U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,218; and U.S. Pat. No.        3,821,263. Some commercially-available compounds include        Dequest® 7000 and Dequest® 2066S from Solutia, Bayhibit® AM        available from Bayer, and Ecco Flameproof CPE available from        Eastern Color & Chemical Co and Fyrol® 6 available from Akzo        Nobel Phosphorus Chemicals.

Other compounds acceptable for use as flame retardants herein aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,565.

It is acceptable for the present invention for compounds to comprisemixtures of the different types of phosphorus acids and their salts andderivatives, e.g. a compound could contain both a phosphate and aphosphite moiety.

Some non-limiting examples of flame retardants based on phosphorus acidsand salts and their esters and amides that are preferred includephosphorus compounds containing nitrogen moieties and polymerscontaining phosphorus.

Phosphorus Compounds Containing Nitrogen Moieties

Some preferred types of phosphorus-containing compounds include thosecomprising nitrogen moieties. Nitrogen, especially amines and amides,are surprisingly found to enhance the flame retardancy affects ofphosphorus-containing compounds. When phosphorus-containing compoundscomprise quaternary ammonium compounds or amines that can be protonated,the deposition of the phosphorus-containing compound onto fabrics duringthe rinse cycle of a laundry washing process is improved.

It can also be preferred to use phosphorus-containing compoundsstructurally similar to current fabric softening actives to enhancedeposition of the phosphorus. Most fabric softening actives, asdescribed herein, can be functionalized with a phosphorus ester or amideto improve deposition of the phosphorus moiety and improve the flameretardancy of the present compositions. Phosphorus esters and amides arealso useful as divalent linking moieties between fatty acids and fabricsoftener head groups. Most fabric softening actives, such as quaternaryammonium compounds, can be substituted with phosphorus and provide adegree of flame retardancy either in a single-cycle or multi-cycle use.Phosphorus-containing compounds that act as fabric softener actives(“phosphorus-containing fabric softener material”) can be used toreplace the non-phosphorus fabric softening actives, in part or inwhole. Therefore, when such phosphorus-containing fabric softenermaterials are utilized as a flame retardant in the present compositions,a fabric softening active is an optional, not essential, component ofthe composition. Examples of phosphorus-containing fabric softenermaterials suitable as flame retardants herein are described below, asStructures 6 and 7.

Structure 6  N(R¹)_(x)

Structure 6 is an amine or quaternary ammonium compound wherein x is 3or 4. R¹ is hydrogen; a hydrocarbon with less than about 30 carbonsoptionally comprising atoms more electronegative than carbon includingoxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, halogens, such as bromine orchlorine, or combinations thereof; —R²-A-P(O)(AR³)₂;R²-A-P(O)(AR³)—OP(O)(AR³)₂; —R²-A-P(O)(AR³)—OP(O)(AR³)—OP(O)(AR³)₂;—R²P(O)(AR³)₂; or —R²-AP(AR³); wherein A has the same meaning as above,each R² multivalent linking group is independently is selected from analkyl or alkyl hydroxy group having four carbons or less, and each R³ isselected from hydrogen or a hydrocabon having less than 30 atoms, withpreferred groups including CH₃, CH₂CH₃, alkyl, alkylene oxide or alkylhydroxy groups with less than 8 carbons, or hydrocabon groups derivedfrom fatty acids, including but not limited to tallow, hardened tallow,stearic, canola, or oleic. At least one R¹ must be selected from thegroup consisting of —R²-A-P(O)(AR³)₂, —R²-A-P(O)(AR³)—OP(O)(AR³)₂,—R²-A-P(O)(AR³)—OP(O)(AR³)—OP(O)(AR³)₂, —R²P(O)(AR³)₂, and —R²-AP(AR³).When x is 4, the nitrogen has a positive charge and the positive chargeis counterbalance by an anionic counterion or by the phosphate,phosphite or phosphonate group.

Some non-limiting preferred structures fitting the criteria of Structure6 above are:

In the structures above, each R₄ is chosen from hydrocarbon groupsderived from fatty acids. Acceptable fatty acids can be linear orbranched, and saturated or unsaturated. Some non-limiting preferredfatty acids include hardened tallow, stearic, canola, or oleic. Each R₄can be the same or different. Compounds that provide effective softeningcan be used as partial or 100% replacement for the fabric softeneractives described herein below. X is a univalent or multi-valent anionpresent in the correct amount necessary to balance the cationic charge.

Structure 7  (R¹)_(x)N—R⁵—N(R¹)_(y)

Structure 7 comprises two nitrogen moieties that can be neutral orprotonated. The value of x+y is from 4 to 6. R⁵ is a divalent linkinggroup having 1 to about 8 carbons and selected from alkyl, alkylene,alkylhydroxy, or alkylene oxide. Each R¹ is the same or different andhas the same meaning as in Structure 6 above. At least one R¹ must beselected from the group consisting of —R²-A-P(O)(AR³)₂,—R²-A-P(O)(AR³)—OP(O)(AR³)₂, —R²-A-P(O)(AR³)—OP(O)(AR³)—OP(O)(AR³)₂,—R²P(O)(AR³)₂, or —R²-AP(AR³) where A, R² and R³ have the same meaningas described herein above for Structure 6. When x+y is 5, Structure 7has a positive charge. When x+y is 6, Structure 7 has two positivecharges and the compound is counterbalanced by the appropriatecounterion(s) or by the phosphate, phosphonate or phosphite groups.

Some non-limiting examples of structures fitting the criteria forStructure 7 above include:

Additional non-limiting examples of compounds comprising phosphorus andamine include:

wherein R₄ and X have the same meaning as for Structure 6 herein above.

Polymers Containing Phosphorus

Phosphorus containing polymers useful for the present invention includethe polymeric reaction products of alkylene amines or alkylene iminesand phosphorus moieties, such as —((CH₂)_(x)CH(NH₂))_(y)— or—((CH₂)_(x)CH₂NH)_(y)—, wherein x is zero or greater than zero and y isgreater than 1. Nonlimiting examples include the reaction products of analkylene imine or alkylene amine, such as ethylene imine or ethyleneamine, with phosphoric acid, PCl₃, PCOCl₃, or PCl(O)(OC₂H₅)₂, or thereaction of already polymerized alkylene amines or imines, such as thereaction of polyethylene imine with phosphoric acid, PCl₃, PCOCl₃, orPCl(O)(OC₂H₅)₂. Also included are reactions of alkoxylated polyethyleneimines with phosphoric acid, PCl₃, PCOCl₃, or PCl(O)(OC₂H₅)₂. Examplesinclude:

wherein x=1-30 and Y is H, P(O)(OH)₂, P(O)(OCH₃)₂, or P(O)(OC₂H₅)₂.

Also included are phosphorus-containing alkoxylated polyammonium salts,such as,

wherein x=1-30, Y is H, P(O)(OH)₂, P(O)(OCH₃)₂, or P(O)(OC₂H₅)₂, and Mis a suitable counter ion such as Cl, Br, or CH₃SO₄.

Phosphorus compounds containing carboxylic acids and esters can also beutilized in the present compositions as a flame retardant. Suchcompounds include:

-   -   a) homopolymers of ethylenically-α,β-unsaturated dicarboxylates        having the formula:        wherein each R is independently selected from H, OH, OM, or a        unit having the formula:        where X is independently selected from H, OH, or OSO₃M; R₁, R₂,        R₃ are independently selected from H, CH₃, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, aryl,        CO₂M, or (CH₂)_(n)CO₂M, wherein n is from 1 to about 4; M is H        or a salt-forming cation; the indices x, y, and z are each        independently ≧0, preferably from 0 to about 4; x+y+z is ≧1; Q        is H, OH, or OM, but not H when both x and z are greater than or        equal to 1.    -   b) copolymers of ethylenically-α,β-unsaturated dicarboxylates        having the formula:        wherein each R is independently H, OH, OM, or a unit having the        formula:        wherein X is independently selected from H, OH, or OSO₃M; R₁,        R₂, R₃ are independently selected from H, CH₃, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl,        aryl, CO₂M, or (CH₂)_(n)CO₂M, wherein n is from 1 to about 4; M        is H or a salt-forming cation; the indices x, y, and z are each        independently ≧0, preferably from 0 to about 4; x+y+z is >1; Q        is H, OH, or OM, but not H when both x and z are greater than or        equal to 1.    -   c) copolymers of ethylenically-α,β-unsaturated dicarboxylates        polymerized with vinyl-containing monomers, wherein the        copolymers have the formula:        wherein each R is independently H, OH, OM, or a unit having the        formula:        wherein X is independently selected from H, OH, or OSO₃M; R₁,        R₂, R₃ are independently selected from H, CH₃, C₁-C₁₂ alkyl,        aryl, CO₂M, or (CH₂)_(n)CO₂M, where n is from 1 to about 4; R₄,        R₅, R₆ are independently selected from H, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl,        carboxy or alkylcarboxy, esters, functionalized esters,        anhydride, amide, cyano, urea, alcohol, ether, acetal,        phosphino, phosphono, sulfonate, sulfonamide, heterocycles (such        as imidazole, thiol, thioester), or mixtures thereof; the        indices x, y, and z are each independently ≧0, preferably from 0        to about 4; x+y+z is ≧1; Q is H, OH, or OM, but not H when both        x and z are greater than or equal to 1.

Structures of other suitable phosphorus-containing polymers aredisclosed in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering 2^(nd) Ed.,Vol. 11, Pages 96-126, in the chapter titled “Phosphorus ContainingPolymer” by E. D. Weil.

Suitable additional phosphorus-containing polymers include phosphoniumsalts as shown in Structure 8 below:

-   -   wherein A and R have the same meanings as defined in the        previous description of phosphoric acid and the phosphate salts        herein. Acceptable compounds are disclosed in the Kirk-Othmer        Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology 4^(th) Edition Vol. 18 in        the chapter titled “Phosphine and It's Derivatives” and the        Handbook of fiber Science and Technology: Vol. II Chemical        Processing of Fibers and Fabrics Functional Finishes Part B,        Eds. M. Lewin. Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium (THP) salts        are typical, but non-limiting examples of Structure 8. THP salts        tend to react with other compounds containing active hydrogens        (e.g. compounds comprising N-methylol, phenols, polybasic acid,        and amines) to form insoluble polymers. Precondensate of THP        salts with compounds containing active hydrogen like urea,        melamine, and methylolated melamine are also useful for the        present invention. Non-limiting examples of THP compounds useful        as flame retardants in the present invention are disclosed in        U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,429 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,779. Some        non-limiting commercially-available materials are Pyroset® TPO,        Pyroset® TKOW, Pyroset® TPC and Pyroset® TKC available from        Cytec Industries, Inc, Proban chemistry from Rhodia, Provatex        type chemistry from Ciba-Geigy.

Starch Comprising a Phosphorus-Containing Substituent

Cationic starch comprising a phosphorus-containing substituent can beutilized in the present compositions as a flame retardant. Cationicstarches, such as those described in detail in copending U.S.Application No. 60/457,448 (P&G Case 9178P), can be substituted with aphosphorus containing substituent, typically an ester or amide ofortho-, pyro-, or tripolyphosphate. In the case of cationicphosphorylated starch, the preferred cationic starches herein will havea degree of substitution of cationic substitution plus phosphorussubstitution of from about 0.01 to about 3, with the degree of cationicsubstitution ranging typically from about 0.01 to about 2.5, preferablyfrom about 0.01 to about 1.5, and more preferably from about 0.025 toabout 0.5. When the cationic starch used herein is cationic maizestarch, the cationic starch preferably has a degree of substitution offrom about 0.04 to about 0.1.

The cationic starch with a phosphorus substituent in present inventioncan be incorporated into the composition in the form of intact starchgranules, partially gelatinized starch, pregelatinized starch, coldwater swelling starch, hydrolyzed starch (acid, enzyme, alkalinedegradation), or oxidized starch (peroxide, peracid, alkaline, or anyother oxidizing agent). Fully gelatinized starches can also be used, butat lower levels to prevent fabric stiffness and limit viscosityincreases.

Non-limiting examples of the types of cationic starches with aphosphorus containing substituent that are useful for the presentinvention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,336.

Nonionic and ionic versions of phosphorylated starch are acceptable, butless preferred for the present fabric softening compositions disclosedherein. Such starches can be equivalent in structure to those disclosedabove except these lack the cationic charges. Some non-limiting examplesof such compounds are given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,918 and U.S. Pat. No.5,244,474.

Polymers which contain saccharides or polysaccharide units as graftco-polymers, block polymers, or pendant polymers that are then modifiedwith a phosphate-containing substituent as in WO 02/070574 are alsoacceptable as flame retardants for the present invention.

Nitrogen Compounds

Compounds containing only nitrogen functionality typically actindependently to provide a flame retardancy effect. Melamine and itsderivatives are exceptional nitrogen compounds that are surprisinglyacceptable flame retardants for use in the present compositions.Melamine salts of phosphorus acids disclosed above are also acceptableflame retardants for use in the present compositions. Melamine and somenon-limiting examples of melamine derivatives acceptable as flameretardants for the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,197,373. Non-limiting commercially-available examples includeMelapur®200 and Melapur® P46.

Halogenated Organic Compounds

Although organic compounds comprising fluorine, bromine, chlorine andiodine are acceptable flame retardants herein, brominated andchlorinated organic compounds are preferred because these halogenatedorganic compounds are the most effective for the lowest cost. A varietyof halogenated flame retardants are described in the Kirk-OthmerEncyclopedia of Chemical Technology 4^(th) Edition Vol. 10; PolymerHandbook, 2^(nd) Ed. John Wiley Sons, Inc., New York, 1975;International Plastics Handbook, Hanser Publishers, Munich, Germany,1990, Flame Retardant Polymeric Materials, Plenum Press, New York, 1975,Bromine Compounds Chemistry and Applications, Eds. D. Price, B. Iddon,B. J. Wakefield, Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1988 and theHandbook of fiber Science and Technology: Vol. II Chemical Processing ofFibers and Fabrics Functional Finishes Part B, Eds. M. Lewin and S. B.Sello, “Chapter 1 Flame Retardance of Fabrics”.

Suitable halogenated organic compounds suitable as flame retardantsherein are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,283; U.S. Pat. No.5,565,538; U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,839; U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,096; U.S. Pat.No. 5,296,306; U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,636; U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,986; U.S.Pat. No. 5,066,752; U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,484.

Some non-limiting commercially-available examples of acceptablehalogenated organic flame retardants of the present invention includeDoversperse® A-1, Doversperse® 3, Chlorez® 700, 700-S, 725-S, 760,700-DD, 700-DF, and 700-SS, Paroil 10, 152, 50, 142-A, 140, 170T, 170HV, Doverguard® 8207-A, all available from Dover Chemical Corporation.Other examples are commercially-available from Great Lakes ChemicalCorp. under the trade names DBS™, PDBS-80™, FIREMASTER® PBS-64,FIREMASTER® CP-44B, GPP-36™, PHT4®, PHT4-Diol™, PHT4-Diol/70™, DP-45™,BA-59P™, DE-83R™, BC-52™, BC-52HP™, FF-680™.

Carboxylate, Polycarboxylate, Carbonate, and Polycarbonate FlameRetardant Agents

Compounds with one or more carboxylate or with groups and optionallynitrogen functionality and free of phosphorus are useful to enhance theactivity of the flame retardants. Polycarboxylate compounds free ofphosphorus that are acceptable are disclosed in copending U.S.application Ser. Nos. 10/267,244, 10/267,301, and 10/267,294, publishedas WO 03/33812, WO 03/33806, and WO 03/33811, respectively. Otherpolycarboxylate compounds free of phosphorus that are acceptable andsome non-limiting examples are disclosed in WO 00/29662; U.S. Pat. No.3,957,598; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,598. Additional polycarboxylatecompounds and especially polycarboxylate compounds comprising nitrogenand free of phosphorus are disclosed in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia ofChemical Technology 4^(th) Edition Vol. 5 in the chapters titled“Chelanting Agents” and “Carboxylic Acids” and also in Vol. 8 in thechapters titled “Dispersants” and “Dicarboxylic Acids”, as well asacrylate structures and polymers based on mono-acrylate structuresdisclosed in Vol. 15 in the chapter titled “Latex Technology”.Non-limiting examples include citric acid, 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylicacid (BTCA), maleic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, succinic acid,ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), N-dihydroxyethylglycine,tartaric acid, 5-sulfosalicylic acid,hydroxyehtylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), and (DTPA). Both theacid and salt forms of carboxylates are acceptable for the presentinvention, provided the salt form has a decomposition temperature lessthan about 600° C. Carbonate and polycarbonate materials acceptable forthe present invention are disclosed in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia ofChemical Technology 4^(th) Edition in Vol. 5 in the chapter title“Carbonic and Carbonochloridic Esters”, in Vol. 10 in the chapter titled“Flame Retardants”, and in Vol. 19 in the chapter titled“Polycarbonates”. Both organic carbonates (e.g. propyl carbonate) andmetal salts of carbonates (e.g. magnesium, carbonate) are acceptable foruse in the present invention. Some non-limiting examples of carbonatesare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,490; U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,559; U.S.Pat. No. 4,506,046; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,935.

Polycarboxylate compounds such as HEDTA and DPTA have been previouslyused in compositions at low levels to scavenge trace amounts of heavymetals. When used as a flame retardant in the present compositions,these materials are used at a level of at least about 0.05%, preferablyat least about 0.5%, and more preferably at least about 1%, by weight ofthe composition.

Inorganic Flame Retardants

1) Compounds Comprising Boron

Boron and compounds comprising boron can be used independently as flameretardants herein or in combination with halogen and halogen synergists,such as antimony containing compounds. Additionally, borates, such assodium borate, are useful as agents that can be combined with otheragents such as boric acid, cellulosic polymers, or alumina trihydrate toform glass-like substances with low transition temperature to inhibitcellulose degradation. Perborate, barium metaborate, andammoniumfluoroborate are also acceptable flame retardants herein.Compounds comprising boron are effective as synergists for halogenatedorganic compounds and some boron containing materials. Compoundscomprising boron and halogenated organic compounds are a preferredcombination. Many examples of flame retardant compounds that compriseboron are described in the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of ChemicalTechnology 4^(th) Edition Vol. 10 . . . and Handbook of Fiber Scienceand Technology: Vol. II Chemical Processing of Fibers and FabricsFunctional Finishes Part B, Eds. M. Lewin and S. B. Sello, “Chapter 1Flame Retardance of Fabrics”.

Some non-limiting boron-containing materials for use as flame retardantsare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,968; U.S. Pat. No. 6,156,240; andU.S. Pat. No. 3,837,903.

2) Miscellaneous Inorganic Compounds

Many inorganic salts and oxides are surprising found to provide a degreeof flame retardancy acceptable for the present invention. Acceptablecompounds comprise antimony, aluminum, bismuth, zinc, molybdenum, ortin, as well as sulfuric and sulfamic acid salts. Non-limiting examplesinclude antimony oxides, antimony pentaoxide, metal antimonates,aluminum oxides, alumina trihydrate, compounds that comprise bothalumina and phosphorus, molybdic oxides, ammonium octamolybdate, zincmolybdate, magnesium hydroxide, zinc stannates, zinc hydroxy stannate,and ammonium sulfamate. Alumina trihydrate makes a preferred combinationwhen combined with a borate, preferably zinc borate, or a compoundcomprising phosphorus.

Antimony and tin compounds, as well as zinc borate, can be synergistsfor halo-organics, especially those that dehalogenate easily (e.g. thenonliminting example of hexabromocyclododecane). These materials usedtogether with halo-organics improve the flame retardancy ofhalo-organics in liquid fabric softener compositions of the presentinvention.

Some organo-silicates can be utilized as a flame retardant in thepresent compositions. A non-limiting example of a linear organo-silicateacceptable for the present invention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,454,969.

It is recognized that the present compositions can comprise mixtures oftwo or more of any of the flame retardants described herein.

Fabric Softening Actives

The present compositions can optionally further comprise a fabricsoftening active. Typical minimum levels of incorporation of the fabricsoftening active in the present compositions are at least about 2%,preferably at least about 5%, more preferably at least about 10%, andeven more preferably at least about 12%, by weight of the composition,and the typical maximum levels of incorporation of the fabric softeningactive in the present compositions are less than about 90%, preferablyless than about 40%, more preferably less than about 30% and even morepreferably less than about 20%, by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment of the present invention wherein the composition isfree of a flame retardant, the present compositions comprise less thanabout 21%, by weight of the composition, of fabric softening active, andat least about 0.5%, by weight of the composition, of a siliconematerial.

Preferred Diester Quaternary Ammonium (DEQA) Compounds

The fabric softening active herein can preferably be a DEQA compound.The DEQA compounds encompass a description of diamido fabrics softeneractives as well as fabric softener actives with mixed amido and esterlinkages.

A first type of DEQA (“DEQA (1)”) suitable as a fabric softening activein the present compositions includes compounds of the formula:{R_(4-m)—N⁺—[(CH₂)_(n)—Y—R¹]_(m)}X⁻wherein each R substituent is either hydrogen, a short chain C₁-C₆,preferably C₁-C₃ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, e.g., methyl (mostpreferred), ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl, and the like, poly (C₂₋₃alkoxy), preferably polyethoxy, group, benzyl, or mixtures thereof; eachm is 2 or 3; each n is from 1 to about 4, preferably 2; each Y is—O—(O)C—, —C(O)—O—, —NR—C(O)—, or —C(O)—NR— and it is acceptable foreach Y to be the same or different; the sum of carbons in each R¹, plusone when Y is —O—(O)C— or —NR—C(O)—, is C₁₂-C₂₂, preferably C₁₄-C₂₀,with each R¹ being a hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl group; itis acceptable for R¹ to be unsaturated or saturated and branched orlinear and preferably it is linear; it is acceptable for each R¹ to bethe same or different and preferably these are the same; and X⁻ can beany softener-compatible anion, preferably, chloride, bromide,methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate, phosphate, and nitrate, morepreferably chloride or methyl sulfate. Preferred DEQA compounds aretypically made by reacting alkanolamines such as MDEA(methyldiethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine) with fatty acids. Somematerials that typically result from such reactions includeN,N-di(acyl-oxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride orN,N-di(acyl-oxyethyl)-N,N-methylhydroxyethylammonium methylsulfatewherein the acyl group is derived from animal fats, unsaturated, andpolyunsaturated, fatty acids, e.g., oleic acid, and/or partiallyhydrogenated fatty acids, derived from vegetable oils and/or partiallyhydrogenated vegetable oils, such as, canola oil, safflower oil, peanutoil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, etc.Non-limiting examples of suitable fatty acids are listed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,759,990 at column 4, lines 45-66. Those skilled in the art willrecognized that materials made from such process can comprise acombination of mono-, di-, and tri-esters depending on the process andthe starting materials. Materials from this group preferred for thepresent invention include those comprising a high level of diestercontent, preferably more than 70% of the total active weight and morepreferably at least about 80% of the total active weight (as usedherein, the “percent of softener active” containing a given R¹ group isbased upon taking a percentage of the total active based upon thepercentage that the given R¹ group is, of the total R¹ groups present.).Non-limiting examples of preferred diester quats for the presentinvention include N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammoniumchloride (available from Akzo under the trade name Armosoft® DEQ) andN,N-di(canola-oyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride (available fromDegussa under the trade name Adogen® CDMC). Nonlimiting examples ofavailable TEA ester quats suitable for the present invention includedi-(hydrogenated tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-methylhydroxyethylammoniummethylsulfate and di-(oleoyloxyethyl)-N,N-methylhydroxyethylammoniummethylsulfate sold under the trade names Rewoquat® WE 15 and Varisoft®WE 16, both available from Degussa.

Additional preferred DEQA (1) actives include compounds comprisingdifferent Y structures such as the those having the structure belowwhere one Y═—C(O)—O— and the other Y═—NH—C(O)—:R¹—C(O)O—R²—N⁺(R⁴)_(n)—R³—N(H)—C(O)—R¹X⁻wherein n is 1 or 2; R¹ is a C₆-C₂₂, preferably a C₈-C₂₀, hydrocarbylgroup or substituted hardrocarbyl groups that are branched or unbranchedand saturated or unsaturated; R² and R³ are each C₁-C₅, preferablyC₂-C₃, alkyl or alkylene groups; and R⁴ is H, or a C₁-C₃ alkyl orhydroxyalkyl group. A non-limiting example of such softener isN-tallowoyloxyethyl-N-tallowoylaminopropyl methyl amine. Additionalnon-limiting examples of such softeners are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,580,481 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,597.

Other suitable fabric softening actives include reaction products offatty acids with dialkylenetriamines in, e.g., a molecular ratio ofabout 2:1, said reaction products containing compounds of the formula:R¹—C(O)—NH—R²—NH—R³—NH—C(O)—R¹wherein R¹, R² are defined as above, and each R³ is a C₁₋₆ alkylenegroup, preferably an ethylene group. Examples of these fabric softeningactives are reaction products of tallow acid, canola acid, or oleicacids with diethylenetriamine in a molecular ratio of about 2:1, saidreaction product mixture containing N,N″-ditallowoyldiethylenetriamine,N,N″-dicanola-oyldiethylenetriamine, or N,N″-dioleoyldiethylenetriamine,respectively, with the formula:R¹—C(O)—NH—CH₂CH₂—NH—CH₂CH₂—NH—C(O)—R¹wherein R² and R³ are divalent ethylene groups, R¹ is defined above andan acceptable examples of this structure when R¹ is the oleoyl group ofa commercially available oleic acid derived from a vegetable or animalsource, include Emersol® 223LL or Emersol® 7021, available from HenkelCorporation.

Another fabric softening active for use in the present compositions hasthe formula:[R¹—C(O)—NR—R²—N(R)₂—R³—NR—C(O)—R¹]⁺X⁻wherein R, R¹, R², R³ and X are defined as above. Examples of thisfabric softening active are the di-fatty amidoamines based softenerhaving the formula:[R¹—C(O)—NH—CH₂CH₂—N(CH₃)(CH₂CH₂OH)—CH₂CH₂—NH—C(O)—R¹]⁺CH₃SO₄ ⁻wherein R¹—C(O) is an oleoyl group, soft tallow group, or a hardenedtallow group available commercially from Degussa under the trade namesVarisoft® 222LT, Varisoft® 222, and Varisoft® 110, respectively.

A second type of DEQA (“DEQA (2)”) compound suitable as a fabricsoftening active in the present compositions has the general formula:[R₃N⁺CH₂CH(YR¹)(CH₂YR¹)]X⁻wherein each Y, R, R¹, and X⁻ have the same meanings as before. Suchcompounds include those having the formula:[CH₃]₃N⁽⁺⁾[CH₂CH(CH₂O(O)CR¹)O(O)CR¹]Cl⁽⁻⁾wherein each R is a methyl or ethyl group and preferably each R¹ is inthe range of C₁₅ to C₁₉. As used herein, when the diester is specified,it can include the monoester that is present. The amount of monoesterthat can be present is the same as in DEQA (1).

These types of agents and general methods of making them are disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,180, Naik et al., issued Jan. 30, 1979, which isincorporated herein by reference. An example of a preferred DEQA (2) isthe “propyl” ester quaternary ammonium fabric softener active having theformula 1,2-di(acyloxy)-3-trimethylammoniopropane chloride.

While it is acceptable to use fabric softening compounds with anytransition temperature; preferably, for the present invention, thefabric softening compound has a transition temperature of equal to orless than about 50° C. While it is acceptable for fabric softeningcompounds to be made with fatty acid precursors with a range of IodineValues (herein referred to as IV) from zero to about 140, it ispreferred for some aspects of the present invention to use softeningcompounds made with fatty acid precursors having an IV of at least about40. These aspects include, but are not limited to, physicalcharacteristics of the fabric softening composition and staticperformance. For other aspects of the present invention, an IV of about15 to about 40 is preferable to improve the softening efficiency.

Fabric softening compositions of the present invention that are clearpreferably contain highly fluid fabric softening actives with transitiontemperatures less than about 35° C. These materials can be made withfatty acid precursors having high IV (greater than about 50) orcomprising branching or other structural modifications leading to a lowtransition temperature. Additionally when unsaturated fabric softeneractives are used for clear compositions the unsaturated moietypreferably has a cis:trans isomer ratio of at least 1:1, preferablyabout 2:1, more preferably about 3:1, and even more preferably 4:1 orhigher. Some preferred actives for clear compositions are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,369,025; U.S. application Ser. No. 09/554,969, filedNov. 24, 1998 by Frankenbach et al. (WO 99/27050); and U.S. Pat. No.6,486,121.

While it is acceptable for the present invention for the composition tocontain a number of softening actives, including other fabric softeningactives disclosed herein below, the DEQA fabric softening actives, andspecifically those fabric softener actives with two ester linkages, arepreferred fabric softening actives for the present invention.

Other Fabric Softening Actives

Instead of, or in addition to, the DEQA fabric softening activesdescribed hereinbefore, the present compositions can also comprise avariety of other fabric softening actives. These other suitable fabricsoftening actives include:

-   -   (1) compounds having the formula:        [R_(4-m)—N⁽⁺⁾—R¹ _(m)]A⁻        wherein each m is 2 or 3, each R¹ is a C₆-C₂₂, preferably        C₁₄-C₂₀, but no more than one being less than about C₁₂ and then        the other is at least about 16, hydrocarbyl, or substituted        hydrocarbyl substituent, preferably C₁₀-C₂₀ alkyl or alkenyl        (unsaturated alkyl, including polyunsaturated alkyl, also        referred to sometimes as “alkylene”), most preferably C₁₂-C₁₈        alkyl or alkenyl, and branch or unbranced. While it is        acceptable for the IV of the parent fatty acid containing the R¹        group to range from zero to about 140, it is preferred for the        present invention to have an IV of at least about 40. When the        fabric softener composition will be clear, it is preferred for        fabric softner active to be highly fluid by incorporating        branching in the hydrocarbyl group by incorporating high        unsaturation e.g. the IV of a fatty acid containing this R¹        group is from about 70 to about 140, more preferably from about        80 to about 130; and most preferably from about 90 to about 115        (as used herein, the term “Iodine Value” means the Iodine Value        of a “parent” fatty acid, or “corresponding” fatty acid, which        is used to define a level of unsaturation for an R¹ group that        is the same as the level of unsaturation that would be present        in a fatty acid containing the same R¹ group) with, preferably,        a cis/trans ratio as specified above for highly unsaturated        compounds; each R is H or a short chain C₁-C₆, preferably C₁-C₃        alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, e.g., methyl (most preferred),        ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl, and the like, benzyl, or (R²O)₂₋₄H        where each R² is a C₁₋₆ alkylene group; and A⁻ is a softener        compatible anion, preferably, chloride, bromide, methylsulfate,        ethylsulfate, sulfate, phosphate, or nitrate; more preferably        chloride or methyl sulfate. Examples of these fabric softening        actives include dialkydimethylammonium salts and        dialkylenedimethylammonium salts such as        ditallowdimethylammonium chloride, dicanoladimethylammonium        chloride, and dicanoladimethylammonium methylsulfate. Examples        of commercially available dialkylenedimethylammonium salts        usable in the present invention are di-hydrogenated tallow        dimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallowdimethyl ammonium chloride,        and dioleyldimethylammonium chloride available from Degussa        under the trade names Adogen® 442, Adogen® 470, and Adogen® 472,        respectively.    -   (2) compounds having the formula:        wherein each R, R¹, and A⁻ have the definitions given above;        each R² is a C₁₋₆ alkylene group, preferably an ethylene group;        and G is an oxygen atom or an —NR— group. Examples of this        fabric softening active are        1-methyl-1-tallowylamidoethyl-2-oleylimidazolinium methylsulfate        and 1-methyl-1-oleylamidoethyl-2-oleylimidazolinium        methylsulfate wherein R¹ is an acyclic aliphatic C₁₅-C₁₇        hydrocarbon group, R² is an ethylene group, G is a NH group, R⁵        is a methyl group and A⁻ is a methyl sulfate anion, available        commercially from Degussa under the trade names Varisoft® 475        and Varisoft® 3690, respectively.    -   (3) compounds having the formula:        wherein R¹, R² and G are defined as above. An example of this        fabric softening active is 1-oleylamidoethyl-2-oleylimidazoline        wherein R¹ is an acyclic aliphatic C₁₅-C₁₇ hydrocarbon group, R²        is an ethylene group, and G is a NH group.    -   (4) reaction products of substantially unsaturated and/or        branched chain higher fatty acid with        hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines in a molecular ratio of about 2:1,        said reaction products containing compounds of the formula:        R¹—C(O)—NH—R²—N(R³OH)—C(O)—R¹        wherein R¹, R² and R³ are defined as above. Examples of this        fabric softening active are reaction products of fatty acids        such as tallow fatty acid, oleic fatty acid, or canola fatty        acid with N-2-hydroxyethylethylenediamine in a molecular ratio        of about 2:1, said reaction product mixture containing a        compound of the formula:        R¹—C(O)—NH—CH₂CH₂—N(CH₂CH₂OH)—C(O)—R¹        wherein R¹—C(O) is oleoyl, tallowyl, or canola-oyl group of a        commercially available fatty acid derived from a vegetable or        animal source. Nonlimiting examples of such actives include        Emersol® 223LL or Emersol® 7021, which are derived from oleic        acid and available from Henkel Corporation.    -   (5) compounds having the formula:        wherein R, R¹, R², and A⁻ are defined as above.

Other compounds suitable as fabric softening actives herein are acyclicquaternary ammonium salts having the formula:[R¹—N(R⁵)₂—R⁶]⁺A⁻wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are C₁-C₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups, and R¹ and A⁻are defined as herein above. Examples of these fabric softening activesare the monoalkyltrimethylammonium salts and themonoalkenyltrimethylammonium salts such as monotallowyltrimethylammoniumchloride, monostearyltrimethylammonium chloride,monooleyltrimethylammonium chloride, and monocanolatrimethylammoniumchloride. Commercial examples include tallowtrimetylammonium chlorideand soyatrimethylammonium chloride available from Degussa under thetrade names Adogen® 471 and Adogen® 415.

-   -   (6) substituted imidazolinium salts having the formula:        wherein R⁷ is hydrogen or a C₁-C₄ saturated alkyl or        hydroxyalkyl group, and R¹ and A⁻ are defined as hereinabove;    -   (7) substituted imidazolinium salts having the formula:        wherein R⁵ is a C₁-C₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, and R¹, R²,        and A⁻ are as defined above;    -   (8) alkylpyridinium salts having the formula:        wherein R⁴ is an acyclic aliphatic C₈-C₂₂ hydrocarbon group and        A⁻ is an anion. An example of this fabric softening active is        1-ethyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-isoheptadecylimidazolinium        ethylsulfate wherein R¹ is a C₁₋₇ hydrocarbon group, R² is an        ethylene group, R⁵ is an ethyl group, and A⁻ is an ethylsulfate        anion.    -   (9) alkanamide alkylene pyridinium salts having the formula:        wherein R¹, R² and A⁻ are defined as herein above; and mixtures        thereof.

Other suitable fabric softening actives for use in the presentcompositions include pentaerythritol compounds. Such compounds aredisclosed in more detail in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,492,322 U.S. Pat. No.6,194,374; U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,647; U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,513; U.S. Pat.No. 5,290,459; U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,845 U.S.Pat. No. 5,460,736 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,060.

Polyquaternary ammonium compounds can also be useful as fabric softeningactives in the present compositions and are described in more detail inthe following patent documents: EP 803,498; GB 808,265; GB 1,161,552; DE4,203,489; EP 221,855; EP 503,155; EP 507,003; EP 803,498; FR 2,523,606;JP 84-273918; JP 2-011,545; U.S. Pat. No. 3,079,436; U.S. Pat. No.4,418,054; U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,512; U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,337; U.S. Pat.No. 4,906,413; U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,667; U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,082; U.S.Pat. No. 5,670,472; Weirong Miao, Wei Hou, Lie Chen, and Zongshi Li,Studies on Multifunctional Finishing Agents, Riyong Huaxue Gonye, No. 2,pp. 8-10, 1992; Yokagaku, Vol. 41, No. 4 (1992); and Disinfection,Sterilization, and Preservation, 4^(th) Edition, published 1991 by Lea &Febiger, Chapter 13, pp. 226-30. The products formed by quaternizationof reaction products of fatty acid with N,N,N′,N′,tetraakis(hydroxyethyl)-1,6-diaminohexane are also suitable for use inthe present invention.

Examples of ester and/or amide linked fabric softening actives useful inthe present invention, especially for concentrated clear compositions,are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,990 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,443.Other fabric softening actives for clear liquid fabric softeningcompositions are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,172.

Examples of suitable amine softeners that can be used in the presentinvention as fabric softening actives are disclosed in copending U.S.application Ser. No. 09/463,103, filed Jul. 29, 1997, by Grimm et al.,now allowed.

Other suitable fabric softening actives, especially for the presentliquid fabric softening compositions, include phosphate quaternarycompounds as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,002.

Other fabric softening actives that can be used herein are disclosed, atleast generically for the basic structures, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,870;U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,151; U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,075; U.S. Pat. No.4,233,164; U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,578; U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,076; and U.S.Pat. No. 4,237,016. Examples of more biodegradable fabric softeners canbe found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,361; U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,045; U.S. Pat.No. 4,233,451; U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,489; U.S. Pat. No. 3,689,424; U.S.Pat. No. 4,128,485; U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,604; U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,593;and U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,391.

The fabric softening active in the present compositions is preferablyselected from the group consisting of ditallowoyloxyethyl dimethylammonium chloride, dihydrogenated-tallowoyloxyethyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride, dicanola-oyloxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallowdimethyl ammonium chloride, tritallow methyl ammonium chloride, methylbis(tallow amidoethyl)2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate, methylbis(hydrogenated tallow amidoethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonim methylsulfate, methyl bis (oleyl amidoethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methylsulfate, ditallowoyloxyethyl dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate,dihydrogenated-tallowoyloxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,dicanola-oyloxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,N-tallowoyloxyethyl-N-tallowoylaminopropyl methyl amine,1,2-bis(hardened tallowoyloxy)-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride, andmixtures thereof.

It will be understood that all combinations of fabric softening activesdisclosed above are suitable for use in this invention.

Silicone Materials

To boost the softening performance and other fabric benefits such aswrinkle control, appearance, and ease of ironing, of the presentcompositions, especially compositions containing only low levels offabric softening actives (e.g. less than about 21% by weight), siliconematerials such as silicone fluids and/or silicone emulsions can beoptionally incorporated in the present compositions. In one embodimentof the invention, the present compositions comprise less than about 21%,by weight of the composition, of fabric softening active and at leastabout 0.5%, by weight of the composition, of a silicone material. When asilicone material is used in the present invention, it is typically usedat a level of at least about 0.5%, preferably at least about 3%, morepreferably at least about 5% and typically less than about 10%,preferably less than about 8%, and more preferably less than about 7%,by weight the composition.

The silicone material herein can be either a polydimethyl siloxane(polydimethyl silicone or PDMS), or a derivative thereof, e.g., aminosilicones, ethoxylated silicones, etc. The PDMS, is preferably one witha high molecular weight, e.g., one having a viscosity of from about1,000 to about 1,000,000 cSt, preferably from about 10,000 to about600,000 cSt, more preferably from about 60,000 to about 300,000 cSt.Silicone emulsions can conveniently be used to prepare the compositionsof the present invention. However, preferably, the silicone is one thatis, at least initially, not emulsified. I.e., the silicone should beemulsified in the composition itself.

Silicone derivatives such as amino-functional silicones, quaternizedsilicones, and silicone derivatives containing Si—OH, Si—H, and/or Si—Clbonds, can also be used.

Suitable silicone materials for incorporation in the presentcompositions include those described in WO 95/24460; U.S. Pat. No.6,335,315; U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,850; U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,913; and U.S.Pat. No. 4,661,267.

Aqueous Carrier

The present compositions will generally comprise an aqueous carriercomprising water, at a level of from about 0% to about 99%, by weight ofthe composition. When the present compositions are dilute liquid fabricsoftening compositions, the level of aqueous carrier will typically fromabout 40% to about 98%, preferably from about 70% to about 95%, and morepreferably from about 60% to about 90%, by weight of the composition.When the present compositions are concentrated liquid fabric softeningcompositions, the level of aqueous carrier will typically from about 0%to about 40%, preferably from about 0% to about 30%, and more preferablyfrom about 0% to about 20%, by weight of the composition.

Cationic Starch (Free of Phosphorus-Containing Substituents)

The present compositions can optionally further comprise cationic starchthat is free of phosphorus-containing substituents. These materials canprovide additional softness and other desirable fabric conditioningbenefits (such as wrinkle control, appearance, anti-abrasion, and easeof ironing), without noticeably decreasing the flame resistance oftreated fluffier fabrics, such as terry fabrics and fleecy fabrics.“Cationic starch” as used herein refers to starch that has beenchemically modified to provide the starch with a net positive charge inaqueous solution, such as by the addition of amino and/or ammoniumgroup(s) into the starch molecules. The starch can be selected from thegroup consisting of tubers, legumes, cereal, and grains; for examplecorn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, waxy corn starch, oat starch,cassaya starch, waxy barley, waxy rice starch, glutenous rice starch,sweet rice starch, amioca, potato starch, tapioca starch, oat starch,sago starch, sweet rice, and mixtures thereof. Preferred cationicstarches for use in the present compositions include cationic maizestarch, tapioca, and cationic potato starch, with cationic maize starchbeing especially preferred.

The cationic starch in present invention can contain more than onemodification in addition to cationic. For instance, it is possible touse dual modified starches such as cross-linked and cationic, stabilizedand cationic, and cross-linked, stabilized and cationized starches.

Further, cationic starch in the present invention can be comprised ofmaltodextrins, having a Dextrose Equivalance (“DE”) of from about 0 toabout 35. The Dextrose Equivalence value is a measure of the reducingequivalence of the hydrolyzed starch referenced to dextrose andexpressed as a percent (on dry basis). The higher the DE, the morereducing sugar present. Completely hydrolyzed starch to dextrose has aDE of 100, while unmodified starch has a DE of 0. In addition tomaltodextrins, the cationic starch in the present invention can be madefrom dextrins. Dextrins are pyrolysis products of starch with a widerange of molecular weights.

The compositions of the present invention generally comprise cationicstarch at a level of from about 0.1% to about 5.0%, preferably fromabout 0.3% to about 3.0%, and more preferably from about 0.5% to about2.0%, by weight of the composition.

The cationic starches of the present invention preferably have aparticular degree of substitution. The “degree of substitution” ofcationic starches is a measure of the number of hydroxyl groups on eachanhydroglucose unit which are derivitised by substituent groups. Sinceeach anhydroglucose unit has three potential hydroxyl groups availablefor substitution, the maximum possible degree of substitution is 3. Thedegree of substitution is expressed as the number of moles ofsubstituent groups per mole of anhydroglucose unit, on a molar averagebasis. The degree of substitution can be determined using proton nuclearmagnetic resonance spectroscopy (“¹H NMR”) methods known in the art. Thepreferred cationic starches herein will have a degree of substitution offrom about 0.01 to about 2.5, preferably from about 0.01 to about 1.5,and more preferably from about 0.025 to about 0.5. When the cationicstarch used herein is cationic maize starch, the cationic starchpreferably has a degree of substitution of from about 0.04 to about0.06.

Cationic starches made from native starches typically contain from about20% to about 30% amylose and from about 70% to about 80% amylopectin, byweight of the cationic starch. For example, cationic maize starchgenerally contains from about 0% to about 90% of amylose, by weight ofthe cationic starch, depending upon the source of the starch, whilecationic starch made from waxy maize starch generally contains about100% amylopectin, by weight of the cationic starch. The preferredcationic starches of the present invention will typically containamylose at a level of from about 0% to about 70%, preferably from about10% to about 60%, and more preferably from about 15% to about 50%, byweight of the cationic starch. When the cationic starch used herein iscationic maize starch, the cationic starch preferably comprises fromabout 25% to about 30% amylose, by weight of the cationic starch.

The cationic starch in present invention can be incorporated into thecomposition in the form of intact starch granules, partially gelatinizedstarch, pregelatinized starch, cold water swelling starch, hydrolyzedstarch (acid, enzyme, alkaline degradation), or oxidized starch(peroxide, peracid, alkaline, or any other oxidizing agent). Fullygelatinized starches can also be used, but at lower levels to preventfabric stiffness and limit viscosity increases.

The cationic starches of the present invention will also preferablycontain starch components (e.g. amylose and/or amylopectin) having aparticular molecular weight. The molecular weight of these cationicstarch components is preferably from about 50,000 to about 10,000,000.The preferred cationic starches herein will preferably contain starchcomponents having a molecular weight of from about 150,000 to about7,000,000, more preferably from about 250,000 to about 4,000,000, andeven more preferably from about 400,000 to about 3,000,000. As usedherein, the term “molecular weight” refers to the weight averagemolecular weight of the cationic starch components. This weight averagemolecular weight can be measured according to the gel permeationchromatography (“GPC”) method described in U.S. application Ser. No.10/062,393 filed Feb. 1, 2002 by Mackey et al.

Suitable cationic starches for use in the present compositions arecommercially-available from Cerestar under the trade name C*BOND® andfrom National Starch and Chemical Company under the trade name CATO® 2A.

Electrolyte

Electrolyte is an optional, but preferred, additive for compositions ofthe present invention. Electrolyte is especially preferred incompositions comprising at least 10% fabric softening active, by weight.Electrolyte is preferably included in dispersion compositions of thepresent invention to achieve preferred viscosity of equal to or lessthan about 2000 centipoise, preferably less than about 200 centipoise.Electrolyte is preferably included in clear compositions to modify theviscosity/elasticity profile of the composition on dilution and toprovide lower viscosity and/or elasticity to the composition itself.Additionally, for clear compositions, the electrolyte is a highlypreferred additive enabling the use of lower solvent levels to achievean economically feasible clear composition, while still maintaining apreferred viscosity of equal to or less than about 200 centipoise forthe composition as well as providing preferred lower viscosity upondilution.

Suitable electrolytes for incorporation in the present compositionsinclude inorganic salts. Non-limiting examples of suitable inorganicsalts include: MgI₂, MgBr₂, MgCl₂, Mg(NO₃)₂, Mg₃(PO₄)₂, Mg₂P₂O₇, MgSO₄,magnesium silicate, NaI, NaBr, NaCl, NaF, Na₃(PO₄), NaSO₃, Na₂SO₄,Na₂SO₃, NaNO₃, NaIO₃, Na₃(PO₄), Na₄P₂O₇, sodium silicate, sodiummetasilicate, sodium tetrachloroaluminate, sodium tripolyphosphate(STPP), Na₂Si₃O₇, sodium zirconate, CaF₂, CaCl₂, CaBr₂, CaI₂, CaSO₄,Ca(NO₃)₂, Ca, KI, KBr, KCl, KF, KNO₃, KIO₃, K₂SO₄, K₂SO₃, K₃(PO₄),K₄(P₂O₇), potassium pyrosulfate, potassium pyrosulfite, LiI, LiBr, LiCl,LiF, LiNO₃, AlF₃, AlCl₃, AlBr₃, AlI₃, Al₂(SO₄)₃, Al(PO₄), Al(NO₃)₃,aluminum silicate; including hydrates of these salts and includingcombinations of these salts or salts with mixed cations e.g. potassiumalum AlK(SO₄)₂ and salts with mixed anions, e.g. potassiumtetrachloroaluminate and sodium tetrafluoroaluminate. Saltsincorporating cations from groups IIIa, IVa, Va, VIIa, VIIa, VIII, lb,and IIb on the periodic chart with atomic numbers >13 are also useful inreducing dilution viscosity but less preferred due to their tendency tochange oxidation states and thus they can adversely affect the odor orcolor of the formulation or lower weight efficiency. Salts with cationsfrom group Ia or IIa with atomic numbers >20 as well as salts withcations from the lactinide or actinide series are useful in reducingdilution viscosity, but less preferred. Mixtures of above salts are alsouseful.

Other suitable electrolytes for incorporation in the presentcompositions include organic salts. Non-limiting examples of suitableorganic salts include, magnesium, sodium, lithium, potassium, zinc, andaluminum salts of the carboxylic acids including formate, acetate,proprionate, pelargonate, citrate, gluconate, lactate aromatic acidse.g. benzoates, phenolate and substituted benzoates or phenolates, suchas phenolate, salicylate, polyaromatic acids terephthalates, andpolyacids e.g. oxylate, adipate, succinate, benzenedicarboxylate,benzenetricarboxylate. Other useful organic salts include carbonateand/or hydrogencarbonate (HCO₃ ⁻¹) when the pH is suitable, alkyl andaromatic sulfates and sulfonates e.g. sodium methyl sulfate, benzenesulfonates and derivatives such as xylene sulfonate, and amino acidswhen the pH is suitable. Electrolytes can comprise mixed salts of theabove, salts neutralized with mixed cations such as potassium/sodiumtartrate, partially neutralized salts such as sodium hydrogen tartrateor potassium hydrogen phthalate, and salts comprising one cation withmixed anions.

Generally, inorganic electrolytes are preferred over organicelectrolytes for better weight efficiency and lower costs. Mixtures ofinorganic and organic salts can be used. Typical levels of electrolytein the compositions of the present invention are from about 0.001% toabout 10%, by weight of the composition. Preferred levels of electrolytefor dispersion compositions are typically from about 0.001% to about 3%,preferably from about 0.01% to about 2%, and more preferably from about0.05% to about 1%. Preferred levels of electrolyte for clearcompositions are from about 0.5% to about 5%, preferably from about0.75% to about 2.5%, and more preferably from about 1% to about 2%, byweight of the composition.

Phase Stabilizing Polymers

Optionally, the compositions herein further comprise from 0% to about10%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 5%, more preferably from about0.1% to about 2%, of a phase stabilizing polymer. Phase stabilizingpolymers useful in the present invention include copolymeric blocks ofterephthalate and polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide, and thelike. Preferred phase stabilizing polymers comprising cationicfunctionalities are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,447.

A preferred phase stabilizing polymer is a copolymer having blocks ofterephthalate and polyethylene oxide. More specifically, these polymersare comprised of repeating units of ethylene and/or propyleneterephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate at a molar ratio ofethylene terephthalate units to polyethylene oxide terephthalate unitsof from about 25:75 to about 35:65, said polyethylene oxideterephthalate containing polyethylene oxide blocks having molecularweights of from about 300 to about 2000. The molecular weight of thisphase stabilizing polymer is in the range of from about 5,000 to about55,000.

Another preferred phase stabilizing polymer is a crystallizablepolyester with repeat units of ethylene terephthalate units containingfrom about 10% to about 15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate unitstogether with from about 10% to about 50% by weight of polyoxyethyleneterephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of averagemolecular weight of from about 300 to about 6,000, and the molar ratioof ethylene terephthalate units to polyoxyethylene terephthalate unitsin the crystallizable polymeric compound is between 2:1 and 6:1.Examples of this polymer include the commercially available materialsZELCON® 4780 (from DuPont) and MILEASE® T (from ICI).

Highly preferred phase stabilizing polymers are described in more detailin U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 14, line 66 to col. 15, line 67; inU.S. Pat. No. 4,861,512; and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,857.

Adjunct Ingredients

The present compositions optionally, but preferably, comprise additionaladjunct ingredients, preferably selected from the group consisting ofperfume, nonionic surfactant, non-aqueous solvent, fatty acid, dye,preservatives, optical brighteners, antifoam agents, and mixturesthereof. The amount of each optional adjunct ingredient is typically upto about 2.0%, by weight of the composition, unless otherwise specified.

The present compositions preferably further comprise perfume. Perfume istypical incorporated in the present compositions at a level of at leastabout 0.001%, preferably at least about 0.01%, more preferably at leastabout 0.1%, and no greater than about 10%, preferably no greater thanabout 5%, more preferably no greater than about 3%, by weight of thecomposition.

The present compositions can optionally further comprise a nonionicsurfactant. The nonionic surfactant is preferably an alkoxylatednonionic surfactant, especially an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant.Suitable nonionic surfactants further include nonionic surfactantsderived from saturated and/or unsaturated primary, secondary, and/orbranched, amine, amide, amine-oxide fatty alcohol, fatty acid, alkylphenol, and/or alkyl aryl carboxylic acid compounds, each preferablyhaving from about 6 to about 22, more preferably from about 8 to about18, carbon atoms in a hydrophobic chain, more preferably an alkyl oralkylene chain, wherein at least one active hydrogen of said compoundsis ethoxylated with ≦50, preferably ≦30, more preferably from about 5 toabout 15, and even more preferably from about 8 to about 12, ethyleneoxide moieties to provide an HLB of from about 8 to about 20, preferablyfrom about 10 to about 18, and more preferably from about 11 to about15. Suitable nonionic surfactants are described in more detail in U.S.Pat. No. 6,514,931 at col. 8, lines 1-24; U.S. Pat. No. 6,492,322; andU.S. application Ser. No. 09/554,969, filed Nov. 24, 1998 by Frankenbachet al. (WO 99/27050). When present, nonionic surfactants are typicallypresent in the compositions at a level of from about 0.01% to about 5%,preferably from about 0.05% to about 3%, and more preferably from about0.1% to about 2%, by weight of the composition. Suitable nonionicsurfactants include those commercially-available from Shell Chemicalsunder the trade name NEODOL® 91-8 and from BASF under the trade namePLURONIC® L35.

The present compositions can optionally further comprise solvents.Suitable solvents can be water-soluble or water-insoluble and caninclude ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, t-butanol, propyleneglycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene carbonate, butylcarbitol, phenylethyl alcohol, 2-methyl 1,3-propanediol, hexyleneglycol, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-pentanediol,1,2-butanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, pinacol, 1,5-hexanediol,1,6-hexanediol, 2,4-dimethyl-2,4-pentanediol,2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, phenoxyethanol,or mixtures thereof. Solvents are typically incorporated in the presentcompositions at a level of less than about 40%, preferably from about0.5% to about 25%, more preferably from about 1% to about 10%, by weightof the composition. Preferred solvents, especially for clearcompositions herein, have a ClogP of from about −2.0 to about 2.6,preferably from about −1.7 to about 1.6, and more preferably from about−1.0 to about 1.0, which are described in detail in U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/554,969, filed Nov. 24, 1998 by Frankenbach et al. (WO99/27050).

The present compositions can optionally further comprise fatty acid.Suitable fatty acids include those containing from about 12 to about 25,preferably from about 13 to about 22, more preferably from about 16 toabout 20, total carbon atoms, with the fatty moiety containing fromabout 10 to about 22, preferably from about 10 to about 18, morepreferably from about 10 to about 14 (mid cut), carbon atoms. Theshorter moiety contains from about 1 to about 4, preferably from about 1to about 2 carbon atoms.

While the present compositions can further comprise additional optionalcomponents such as oily sugar derivatives, such as those disclosed in WO01/46361 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,931, the compositions are preferablyfree of these oily sugar derivatives. The present compositions can alsofurther comprise optional anionic surfactants. However, if anionicsurfactants are present, they are preferably included at a level of lessthan about 5%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 1%, by weight of thecomposition. The present compositions can also be free of anionicsurfactants.

The liquid fabric softener compositions of the present inventioncomprising an effective level of a flame retardant will typicallyincrease the burn time of fluffier fabrics treated with saidcompositions by at least 10%, preferably by at least 20%, morepreferably by at least 50%, even more preferably by at least 100%, stillmore preferably by at least 200%, and most preferably by at least 300%versus fluffier fabrics treated with liquid fabric softeningcompositions without a flame retardant.

Liquid fabric softener compositions comprising an effective level of aflame retardant will typically increase the burn time of fluffierfabrics treated with said compositions by at least 1 second, preferablyby at least 2 seconds, more preferably by at least 3 seconds, morepreferably by at least 5 seconds, and still more preferably by at least10 seconds versus fluffier fabrics treated with liquid fabric softeningcompositions without a flame retardant.

A method of testing flame retardancy of fabrics is set forth in the Codeof Federal Regulations, 16 C.F.R. § 1610, entitled “STANDARD FOR THEFLAMMABILITY OF CLOTHING TEXTILES”. Similar test methods include ASTMD1230-94 and AATCC 33-1962.

The liquid fabric softening compositions of the present invention can beclear or opaque (dispersions) compositions. As used herein, “clearcomposition” refers to compositions that are preferably substantiallyfree of significant color or haze such that the compositions generallyappear as clear as water. Of course one of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that a small amount of color and/or haze may be presentin the compositions of the present invention. The present liquid fabricsoftening compositions can also be provided in a unit dose form, forexample, as a liquid composition contained in a water-soluble film (e.g.polyvinyl alcohol film). The present compositions can also be solidcompositions, such as solid fabric softening compositions incorporatedonto a substrate for use in a laundry dryer as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,503,756; U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,599; U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,234; andU.S. Pat. No. 6,169,067.

The flame retardants described herein can also be incorporated inlaundry detergent compositions, such as those described in detail in,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,466; U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,862; U.S. Pat. No.5,565,145; U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,706; U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,705; and U.S.Pat. No. 4,446,042.

The compositions of the present invention will typically have aviscosity of less than about 2000 centipoise, preferably less than about500 centipoise, more preferably less than about 200 centipoise, and evenmore preferably less than about 120 centipoise. For purposes of thepresent invention, the viscosities of the present compositions aremeasured at 25° C. with a Brookfield® viscometer using a No. 2 spindleat 60 rpm.

The present compositions will generally have a pH of from about 2 toabout 13, preferably from about 2 to about 7, and more preferably fromabout 2 to about 5.

The present compositions can be made by mixing together the individualcomponents of the composition to form a final finished liquid fabricsoftening composition of the present invention.

EXAMPLES

The following are non-limiting examples of the liquid fabric softeningcompositions of the present invention. INGRE- EXAMPLE DIENTS 1 2 3 4 5 6Fabric 18.51% 18.51% 18.51% 14.50% — — Softening Active^(a) Fabric — — —— 18.00% 18.00% Softening Active^(b) Fabric — — — —  3.00%  3.00%Softening Active^(c) Cationic  0.84%  1.68%  2.52%  1.68%  1.68%  1.68%Starch^(d) Perfume  1.58%  1.28%  1.28%  1.58%  1.30%  1.30% TMPD^(e) —— — —  5.00%  5.00% NEODOL ® — — — —  2.15%  2.15% 91-8^(f) PLURONIC ® —— — —  1.50%  2.00% L35^(g) Phase  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25% — —Stabilizing Polymer^(h) Calcium 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% — — ChlorideMagnesium — — — —  2.00%  2.00% Chloride DTPA^(i) 0.005% 0.005% 0.005%0.005%  0.20%  0.20% Preservative^(j) 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm —— Antifoam^(k) 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% — — Dye  22 ppm  22 ppm  22ppm  22 ppm 11 ppm 11 ppm Ammonium  0.1%  0.3%  0.1%  0.1% — — ChlorideHydrochloric — — — — — 0.016% Acid Flame Retardant Phosphoric 0.042%   1% — — 0.042% — Acid Tripoly- — —  0.42% — — — phosphoric AcidDEQUEST ® — — —    3%    2% — 2066^(l) DEQUEST ® — — — — —  1.5%7000^(m) Deionized Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Water^(a)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(b)N,N-di(canola-oyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(c)Methyl bis(tallow amidoethyl)2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate.^(d)Cationic starch based on common maize starch or potato starch,containing 25% to 95% amylose and a degree of substitution of from 0.02to 0.09. Available from Cerestar under the trade name C*BOND ® andNational Starch under the trade name CATO ® A2.^(e)2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol.^(f)C9-C11 alkyl polyethylene oxide having nine EO groups.^(g)Polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer with MW approx. =2000.^(h)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(i)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(j)KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co.^(k)Silicone antifoam agent available from Dow Corning Corp. under thetrade name DC2310.^(l)Diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid).^(m)2-Phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid.

The following are non-limiting examples of the liquid fabric softeningcompositions of the present invention which are dispersion (opaque)compositions. EXAMPLE INGREDIENTS 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Fabric SofteningActive^(a) 24.7% 24.7%   14%   14%   21%   21%   21% Fabric SofteningActive^(b) — — —   2% — — — Cationic Starch^(c) — — 1.68% — 1.68% —0.84% Perfume 1-2%  1-2%  1-2%  1-2%  1-2%   1-2%  1-2% PhaseStabilizing Polymer^(d) 0.25% 0.25% 0.25% 0.25% 0.25%  0.25% 0.25% Dye22 ppm 22 ppm 22 ppm 22 ppm 22 ppm 11 ppm 11 ppm Ammonium Chloride  0.1% 0.1%  0.3%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1% Flame Retardant Phosphoric Acid — —— 0.42% — 0.042% — DTPA^(e)   3% — — — — — — Citric Acid — —   3% — — —— ARLATONE ® MAP 230T-60 —   2% — — — — — DEQUEST 2066^(f) — — — —   1%— — Diethyl bis (hydroxylethyl)amino — — — — —    1% — ethyl phosphateFyrol ® 6^(g) — — — — — —  1.5% Deionized Water Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal.Bal. Bal.^(a)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(b)Methyl bis(tallow amidoethyl)2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate.^(c)Cationic starch based on common maize starch or potato starch,containing 25% to 95% amylose and a degree of substitution of from 0.02to 0.09. Available from Cerestar under the trade name C*BOND ® andNational Starch under the trade name CATO ® A2.^(d)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(e)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(f)Diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid).^(g)Diethyl N,N, bis(hydoxylethyl)aminomethylphosphonate.

The following are non-limiting examples of the liquid fabric softeningcompositions of the present invention which are clear compositions.EXAMPLE INGREDIENTS 14 15 16 17 18 19 Fabric Softening Active^(a)    12%   12%    12%    18%    30%    35% Fabric Softening Active^(b)    3%   3%    3%    7% — — TMPD^(c)    10%   7.7%   7.6%    2%    3%    3%Neodol 91-8^(d)   6.6%    5%   4.5%    4%    4%   4.5% Pluronic L-35^(e)  1.2%   1.2%   1.2%    1%    1%    2% MgCl2    2%    2%    2%    2%  2.2%   2.3% DTPA^(f)  0.02%  0.02%  0.02%  0.02%  0.02%  0.02% Perfume  1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3% HCl  0.016%  0.016%  0.016% 0.016%  0.016%  0.016% Dye 0.0011% 0.0011% 0.0011% 0.0011% 0.0011%0.0011% Flame Retardant Fyrol ® 6^(g)    12%    9%    6%    9%    9%   10% Deionized Water Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal.^(a)N,N-di(canola-oyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(b)Methyl bis(tallow amidoethyl)2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate.^(c)2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol.^(d)C9-C11 alkyl polyethylene oxide having nine EO groups.^(e)Polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer with MW approx. =2000.^(f)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(g)Diethyl N,N bis(hydroxyethyl)aminomethyl phosphonate.

The following are non-limiting examples of the liquid fabric softeningcompositions of the present invention which comprise cationicphosphorylated starch as a flame retardant. EXAMPLE INGREDIENTS 20 21 2223 24 25 Fabric Softening Active^(a) 18.51% 18.51% 18.51% 14.50% — —Fabric Softening Active^(b) — — — — 18.00% 18.00% Fabric SofteningActive^(c) — — — —  3.00%  3.00% Cationic Phosphorylated Starch^(d) — — 2.52% — —  1.68% Cationic Phosphorylated Starch^(e)  0.84%  1.68% — 1.68%  1.68% — Perfume  1.58%  1.28%  1.28%  1.58%  1.30%  1.30%TMPD^(f) — — — —  5.00%  5.00% NEODOL ® 91-8^(g) — — — —  2.15%  2.15%PLURONIC ® L35^(h) — — — —  1.50%  2.00% Phase Stabilizing Polymer^(i) 0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25% — — Calcium Chloride 0.545% 0.545% 0.545%0.545% — — Magnesium Chloride — — — —  2.00%  2.00% DTPA^(j) 0.005%0.005% 0.005% 0.005%  0.20%  0.20% Preservative^(k) 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5ppm 7.5 ppm — — Antifoam^(l) 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% — — Dye 22 ppm 22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm 11 ppm 11 ppm Ammonium Chloride  0.1%  0.3% 0.1%  0.1% — — Hydrochloric Acid — — — — — 0.016% Deionized Water Bal.Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal.^(a)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(b)N,N-di(canola-oyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(c)Methyl bis(tallow amidoethyl)2-hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate.^(d)Cationic phosphorylated starch based on common potato prepared asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,336, Table II, sample A.^(e)Cationic phosphorylated starch based on common potato prepared asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,336, Table II, sample F.^(f)2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol.^(g)C9-C11 alkyl polyethylene oxide having nine EO groups.^(h)Polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer with MW approx. =2000.^(i)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(j)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(k)KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co.^(l)Silicone antifoam agent available from Dow Corning Corp. under thetrade name DC2310.

The following are non-limiting examples of the liquid fabric softeningcompositions of the present invention which comprise a phosphorylatedfabric softening active that can be utilized as a flame retardant.INGRE- EXAMPLE DIENTS 26 27 28 29 30 31 Fabric  18.5% — — — — —Softening Active^(a) Fabric —  18.5% — —    9% — Softening Active^(b)Fabric — —  18.5% — — — Softening Active^(c) Fabric — — —  18.5% —    9%Softening Active^(d) Fabric — — — —    9%    9% Softening Active^(e)Cationic  0.84%  1.68%  2.52%  1.68%  1.68%  1.68% Starch^(f) Perfume  1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2% Phase  0.25%  0.25%  0.25% 0.25%  0.25%  0.25% Stabilizing Polymer^(g) Calcium 0.545% 0.545%0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% Chloride DTPA^(h) 0.005% 0.005% 0.005%0.005%  0.20%  0.20% Preservative^(i) 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm Antifoam^(j) 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011%Dye  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  11 ppm  11 ppm Ammonium  0.1%  0.3% 0.1%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1% Chloride Deionized Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal.Water^(a)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammoniumchloride.^(b)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2 phosphorylethyl methylsulfate.^(c)N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammoniumchloride.^(d)N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammonium methylsulfate.^(e)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(f)Cationic starch based on common maize starch or potato starch,containing 25% to 95% amylose and a degree of substitution of from 0.02to 0.09. Available from Cerestar under the trade name C*BOND ® andNational Starch under the trade name CATO ® A2.^(g)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(h)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(i)KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co.^(j)Silicone antifoam agent available from Dow Corning Corp. under thetrade name DC2310.

INGRE- EXAMPLE DIENTS 32 33 34 35 36 37 Arlasilk   30% — — — — —Phospholipid EFA^(a) Arlasilk —  24.7% 12.35 — — — Phospholipid PTC^(b)Arlasilk — — 12.35  24.7%   14% — Phospholipid PTS^(c) Arlasilk — — — —— — Phospholipid PLN^(d) Lecithin^(e) — — — —   10%  24.7%1,2-Hexanediol   10% — — — — — Perfume   1-3%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%  1-2%   1-2% Calcium 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% ChlorideDTPA^(f) 0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.20% 0.20% Deionized Bal. Bal.Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Water^(a)Linoleamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate.^(b)Cocamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate.^(c)Steramidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate.^(d)Linoleamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate.^(e)The phosphatidyl choline derived from soy-bean oil.^(f)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.

The following are non-limiting examples of the liquid fabric softeningcompositions of the present invention which comprise ethyl-cappedphosphorylated fabric softening actives that can be utilized as flameretardants. INGRE- EXAMPLE DIENTS 38 39 40 41 42 43 Fabric  18.5% — — —— — Softening Active^(a) Fabric —  18.5% — —    9% — SofteningActive^(b) Fabric — —  18.5% — — — Softening Active^(c) Fabric — — — 18.5% —    9% Softening Active^(d) Fabric — — — —    9%    9% SofteningActive^(e) Cationic  0.84%  1.68%  2.52%  1.68%  1.68%  1.68% Starch^(f)Perfume   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2% Phase  0.25%  0.25% 0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25% Stabilizing Polymer^(g) Calcium 0.545%0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% Chloride DTPA^(h) 0.005% 0.005%0.005% 0.005%  0.20%  0.20% Preservative^(i) 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm Antifoam^(j) 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011%0.011% Dye  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  11 ppm  11 ppm Ammonium 0.1%  0.3%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1% Chloride Deionized Bal. Bal. Bal.Bal. Bal. Bal. Water^(a)diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium chloride.^(b)diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylmethyl sulfate.^(c)diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium chloride.^(d)diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium methyl sulfate.^(e)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(f)Cationic starch based on common maize starch or potato starch,containing 25% to 95% amylose and a degree of substitution of from 0.02to 0.09. Available from Cerestar under the trade name C*BOND ® andNational Starch under the trade name CATO ® A2.^(g)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(h)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(i)KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co.^(j)Silicone antifoam agent available from Dow Corning Corp. under thetrade name DC2310.

INGRE- EXAMPLE DIENTS 44 45 46 47 48 49 Fabric  24.7% — — — — —Softening Active^(a) Fabric —  24.7% — — 12.35% — Softening Active^(b)Fabric — — 24.7 — — — Softening Active^(c) Fabric — — —  24.7% — 12.35%Softening Active^(d) Fabric — — — — 12.35% 12.35% Softening Active^(e)Perfume   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2% Phase  0.25%  0.25% 0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25% Stabilizing Polymer^(f) Calcium 0.545%0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% Chloride DTPA^(g) 0.005% 0.005%0.005% 0.005%  0.20%  0.20% Preservative^(h) 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm Antifoam^(i) 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011%0.011% Dye  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  11 ppm  11 ppm Ammonium 0.1%  0.3%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1% Chloride Deionized Bal. Bal. Bal.Bal. Bal. Bal. Water^(a)Diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium chloride.^(b)Diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylmethyl sulfate.^(c)Diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium chloride.^(d)Diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium methyl sulfate.^(e)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(f)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(g)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(h)KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co.^(i)Silicone antifoam agent available from Dow Corning Corp. under thetrade name DC2310.

The following are non-limiting examples of the liquid fabric softeningcompositions of the present invention which comprise phosphonated fabricsoftening active that can be utilized as flame retardants. INGRE-EXAMPLE DIENTS 50 51 52 53 54 55 Fabric  24.7% — — — — — SofteningActive^(a) Fabric —  24.7% — — 12.35% — Softening Active^(b) Fabric — —24.7 — — — Softening Active^(c) Fabric — — —  24.7% — 12.35% SofteningActive^(d) Fabric — — — — 12.35% 12.35% Softening Active^(e) Perfume  1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2% Phase  0.25%  0.25%  0.25% 0.25%  0.25%  0.25% Stabilizing Polymer^(f) Calcium 0.545% 0.545%0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% Chloride DTPA^(g) 0.005% 0.005% 0.005%0.005%  0.20%  0.20% Preservative^(h) 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm Antifoam^(i) 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011%Dye  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  11 ppm  11 ppm Ammonium  0.1%  0.3% 0.1%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1% Chloride Deionized Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal.Water^(a)Diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-ethyl-2-phosphonateammonium chloride.^(b)Diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-ethyl-2-phosphonatemethyl sulfate.^(c)Diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-ethyl-2-phosphonateammonium chloride.^(d)Diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-ethyl-2-phosphonateammonium methyl sulfate.^(e)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(f)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(g)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(h)KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co.^(i)Silicone antifoam agent available from Dow Corning Corp. under thetrade name DC2310.

INGRE- EXAMPLE DIENTS 56 57 58 59 60 61 Fabric  18.5% — — — — —Softening Active^(a) Fabric —  18.5% — —    9% — Softening Active^(b)Fabric — —  18.5% — — — Softening Active^(c) Fabric — — —  18.5% —    9%Softening Active^(d) Fabric — — — —    9%    9% Softening Active^(e)Cationic  0.84%  1.68%  2.52%  1.68%  1.68%  1.68% Starch^(f) Perfume  1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2% Phase  0.25%  0.25%  0.25% 0.25%  0.25%  0.25% Stabilizing Polymer^(g) Calcium 0.545% 0.545%0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% Chloride DTPA^(h) 0.005% 0.005% 0.005%0.005%  0.20%  0.20% Preservative^(i) 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm Antifoam^(j) 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011%Dye  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  11 ppm  11 ppm Ammonium  0.1%  0.3% 0.1%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1% Chloride Deionized Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal.Water^(a)Diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-methylphosphonateammonium chloride.^(b)Diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-methylphosphonatemethyl sulfate.^(c)Diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-methylphosphonateammonium chloride.^(d)Diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-methylphosphonateammonium methyl sulfate.^(e)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(f)Cationic starch based on common maize starch or potato starch,containing 25% to 95% amylose and a degree of substitution of from 0.02to 0.09. Available from Cerestar under the trade name C*BOND ® andNational Starch under the trade name CATO ® A2.^(g)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(h)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(i)KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co.^(j)Silicone antifoam agent available from Dow Corning Corp. under thetrade name DC2310.

The following are non-limiting examples of the liquid fabric softeningcompositions of the present invention which comprise sodium salts ofphosphorylated fabric softening actives that can be utilized as flameretardants. EXAMPLE INGREDIENTS 62 63 64 65 66 67 Fabric SofteningActive^(a)  18.5% — — — — — Fabric Softening Active^(b) —  18.5% — —   9% — Fabric Softening Active^(c) — —  18.5% — — — Fabric SofteningActive^(d) — — —  18.5% —    9% Fabric Softening Active^(e) — — — —   9%    9% Cationic Starch^(f)  0.84%  1.68%  2.52%  1.68%  1.68% 1.68% Perfume   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2% PhaseStabilizing Polymer^(g)  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%Calcium Chloride 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% DTPA^(h)0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005%  0.20%  0.20% Preservative^(i) 7.5 ppm 7.5ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm Antifoam^(j) 0.011% 0.011% 0.011%0.011% 0.011% 0.011% Dye  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  11 ppm  11 ppmAmmonium Chloride  0.1%  0.3%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1% Deionized WaterBal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal.^(a)Disodium N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium chloride.^(b)Disodium N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylmethyl sulfate.^(c)Disodium N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium chloride.^(d)Disodium N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium methyl sulfate.^(e)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(f)Cationic starch based on common maize starch or potato starch,containing 25% to 95% amylose and a degree of substitution of from 0.02to 0.09. Available from Cerestar under the trade name C*BOND ® andNational Starch under the trade name CATO ® A2.^(g)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(h)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(i)KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co.^(j)Silicone antifoam agent available from Dow Corning Corp. under thetrade name DC2310.

The following are non-limiting examples of clear liquid fabric softeningcompositions of the present invention which comprise modified fabricsoftening actives that can be utilized as flame retardants. EXAMPLEINGREDIENTS 68 69 70 71 72 73 Fabric Softening Active^(a)    12% — — — —   35% Fabric Softening Active^(b) —    12%    25%    15%    30% —Fabric Softening Active^(c)    3% — — — — — Fabric Softening Active^(d)—    3% —    5% — — TMPD^(e)    7%    7%   7.2%    7%   7.5%    8%Neodol 91-8^(f)   6.6%    5%    5%    5%   5.2%   5.2% Pluronic L-35^(g)  1.2%   1.2%   1.2%    1%    1%    2% MgCl2    2%    2%    2%    2%  2.2%   2.3% DTPA^(h)  0.02%  0.02%  0.02%  0.02%  0.02%  0.02% Perfume  1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3% HCl  0.016%  0.016%  0.016% 0.016%  0.016%  0.016% Dye 0.0011% 0.0011% 0.0011% 0.0011% 0.0011%0.0011% Deionized Water Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal.^(a)Diethyl N,N-di(canola-oxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium chloride.^(b)Diethyl N,N-di(oleyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl methylsulfate.^(c)Diethyl N,N-dicanola amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium chloride.^(d)Diethyl N,N-oleyl amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammoniummethyl sulfate.^(e)2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol.^(f)C9-C11 alkyl polyethylene oxide having nine EO groups.^(g)polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer with MW approx. =2000.^(h)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.

The following are non-limiting examples of clear liquid fabric softeningcompositions of the present invention which comprise modified fabricsoftening actives that can be utilized as flame retardants and aseparate flame retardant. EXAMPLE INGREDIENTS 74 75 76 77 78 79 FabricSoftening Active^(a)    12% — — — —    35% Fabric Softening Active^(b) —   12%    25%    15%    30% — Fabric Softening Active^(c)    3% — — — —— Fabric Softening Active^(d) —    3% —    5% — — TMPD^(e)    3%    6%   6%    5%   7.5%    10% Neodol 91-8^(f)   6.6%    5%    5%    5%  5.2%   5.2% Pluronic L-35^(g)   1.2%   1.2%   1.2%    1%    1%    2%MgCl2    2%    2%    2%    2%   2.2%   2.3% DTPA^(h)  0.02%  0.02% 0.02%  0.02%  0.02%  0.02% Perfume   1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3%  1-3% HCl  0.016%  0.016%  0.016%  0.016%  0.016%  0.016% Dye 0.0011%0.0011% 0.0011% 0.0011% 0.0011% 0.0011% Flame Retardant Fyrol ® 6^(i)   7%    5%    7%    8%    12%    15% Deionized Water Bal. Bal. Bal.Bal. Bal. Bal.^(a)Diethyl N,N-di(canola-oxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyammoniumchloride.^(b)Diethyl N,N-di(oleyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethymethylsulfate.^(c)Diethyl N,N-dicanola amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyammoniumchloride.^(d)Diethyl N,N-oleyl amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyammoniummethyl sulfate.^(e)2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol.^(f)C9-C11 alkyl polyethylene oxide having nine EO groups.^(g)Polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer with MW approx. =2000.^(h)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(i)Diethyl bis(hydroxyehtyl)aminomethyl phosphonate.

The following are non-limiting examples of liquid fabric softeningcompositions of the present invention which comprise ethyl-cappedphosphorylated fabric softening actives that can be utilized as flameretardants and a separate flame retardant. EXAMPLE INGREDIENTS 80 81 8283 84 85 Fabric Softening Active^(a)  18.5% — — — — — Fabric SofteningActive^(b) —  18.5% — —    9% — Fabric Softening Active^(c) — —  18.5% —— — Fabric Softening Active^(d) — — —  18.5% —    9% Fabric SofteningActive^(e) — — — —    9%    9% Cationic Starch^(f)  0.84%  1.68%  2.52% 1.68%  1.68%  1.68% Perfume   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%   1-2%Phase Stabilizing Polymer^(g)  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%Calcium Chloride 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% DTPA^(h)0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005%  0.20%  0.20% Preservative^(I) 7.5 ppm 7.5ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm Antifoam^(j) 0.011% 0.011% 0.011%0.011% 0.011% 0.011% Dye  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  22 ppm  11 ppm  11 ppmAmmonium Chloride  0.1%  0.3%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1% Flame RetardantMelamine phosphate  0.5% — — — — — Fyrol ® 6 —  0.75%  0.75% — — —Ammonium Phosphate — — —  2.5% — — Sodium tripolyphoshate — — — —  0.7%— Phosphoric Acid — — — — —    1% Deionized Water Bal. Bal. Bal. Bal.Bal. Bal.^(a)Diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium chloride.^(b)Diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylmethyl sulfate.^(c)Diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium chloride.^(d)Diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium methyl sulfate.^(e)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(f)Cationic starch based on common maize starch or potato starch,containing 25% to 95% amylose and a degree of substitution of from 0.02to 0.09. Available from Cerestar under the trade name C*BOND ® andNational Starch under the trade name CATO ® A2.^(g)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(h)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(I)KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co.^(j)Silicone antifoam agent available from Dow Corning Corp. under thetrade name DC2310.

The following are non-limiting examples of fabric softening compositionsutilizing mono-tail surfactants as flame retardants. EXAMPLE INGREDIENTS86 87 88 89 90 91 Fabric Softening Active^(a)  24.7% 18.51% 14.50% 24.7% 18.51% 14.50% Phase Stabilizing Polymer^(b)  0.25%  0.25%  0.25% 0.25%  0.25%  0.25% Calcium Chloride 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545% 0.545%0.545% DTPA^(c) 0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005%  0.20%  0.20%Preservative^(d) 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppmAntifoam^(e) 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% Perfume   1-3%  1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3% Flame Retardant Phosphorylatedsurfactant^(f) 12.35% 9.25 7.25 — — — Surfactant Phostphate^(g) — — —12.35% 9.25 7.25^(a)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride.^(b)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(c)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(d)KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co.^(e)Silicone antifoam agent available from Dow Corning Corp. under thetrade name DC2310.^(f)Dimethyl sulfate quat of dodecyl/tetradecyl methylethanolaminediethyl phosphate.^(g)Arlatone ® MAP 230T-60 (TEA C12-13 alkyl phosphate) from Uniqema.

The following are non-limiting examples of fabric softening compositionsutilizing lecithins as fabric softening actives can be a flameretardant. IN- EXAMPLE GREDIENTS 92 93 94 95 96 97 Lecithin 1^(a)  24.7%18.51% 14.50% — — — Lecthin 2^(b) — — —  24.7% 18.51% 14.50% Phase 0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.25% Stabilizing Polymer^(c)DTPA^(d) 0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005%  0.20%  0.20% Preservative^(e) 7.5ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm 7.5 ppm Antifoam^(d) 0.011% 0.011%0.011% 0.011% 0.011% 0.011% Perfume   1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3%   1-3%  1-3%^(a)Ultralec P (Lecithin) from Archer Daniel Midland Co.^(b)Yelkin SS (Lecithin) from Archer Daniel Midland Co.^(c)Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having the formuladescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5, wherein eachX is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially 1,4-phenylenemoieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylene moieties, ormixtures thereof.^(d)Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(e)KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co.^(f)Silicone antifoam agent available from Dow Corning Corp. under thetrade name DC2310.

The following are non-limiting examples of solid fabric softeningcompositions for incorporation onto a substrate to form a fabricsoftening dryer sheet. EXAMPLE INGREDIENTS 98 99 100 101 102 103 FabricSoftening Active^(a) 40.0% 28.0% — — 40.0% — Fabric Softening Active^(b)— — 40.0% 28.0% — 31.2% Clay^(c) 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00%Sorbitan Mono-oleate — 20.0% — 26.4% — 23.2% Co-softener^(d) 45.0% 40.0%50.0% 40.0% — — Co-softener^(e) — — — — 45.0% 40.0% Perfume  1.6%  1.6% 1.6%  1.6%  1.6%  1.6% Flame Retardant Ammonium Phosphate  9.4% — — — 9.4% — Melamine orthophosphate —  6.4%  4.4% — — —^(a)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium methyl sulfate.^(b)Diethyl N,N-di(soft tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylmethyl sulfate.^(c)Calcium bentonite clay, Bentolite L, sold by Southern Clay Products.^(d)1:2 ratio of stearyldimethylamine: triple pressed stearic acid^(e)1:2 ratio of stearyldimethylamine: stearic phosphate

EXAMPLE INGREDIENTS 104 105 106 Fabric Softening Active^(a) 30.0% —30.0% Fabric Softening Active^(b) — 34.35%  — Co-softener^(c) 20.0%20.0% — Co-softener^(d) — — 20.0% Tallow fatty acid^(e) 8.50% 8.50%8.50% Perfume/Cyclodextrin Complex^(f) 17.2% 17.2% 17.2% Clay^(g) 4.00%4.00% 4.00% Glycosperse S20^(h) 14.5% 14.5% 14.5% Free Perfume 1.45%1.45% 1.45% Flame Retardant Melamine orthophosphate 4.35% — 4.35%^(a)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium methyl sulfate.^(b)Diethyl N,N-di(soft tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylmethyl sulfate.^(c)1:2 ratio of stearyldimethylamine: triple pressed stearic acid.^(d)1:2 ratio of stearyldimethylamine: stearic phosphate.^(e)(C16/18 IV = 42) added partway through quaternization of the fabricsoftener active^(f)Cyclodextrin-Perfume inclusion compounds as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,139,687 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,610.^(g)Calcium bentonite clay, Bentolite L, sold by Southern Clay Products.^(h)Glycosperse S20 is polyethoxyalted sorbitan monostearate, fromLonza, which contains about 20 ethoxylate moieties per molecule.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A liquid fabric softening composition comprising an effective amountto reduce the risk of flammability of fluffier fabrics when treated withliquid fabric softening composition of a flame retardant.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1 wherein said flame retardant is chosen from aphosphorus-containing compound, nitrogen compound, halogenated organiccompound, and inorganic compound.
 3. The composition of claim 2 whereinsaid flame retardant is a phosphorus-containing compound chosen from aphosphoric acid, phosphate salt, phosphate ester, phosphate amide,phosphorus acid, phosphite salt, phosphite salt derivative, phosphonicacid, phosphonate salt, phosphonate ester, phosphonate amide, phosphoruscompound containing a nitrogen moiety, phosphorus compound containing acarboxylic acid, phosphorus compound containing a carboxylic ester,phosphonium salt, polyethylene amine polymer comprising a phosphorussubstituent, and cationic starch comprising a phosphorus substituent. 4.The composition of claim 3 wherein said flame retardant is a sodiumtripolyphosphate.
 5. The composition of claim 3 wherein said flameretardant comprises the following structure:


6. The composition of claim 2 wherein said flame retardant is a nitrogencompound.
 7. The composition of claim 6 wherein said flame retardant isa melamine or a melamine derivative.
 8. The composition of claim 2wherein said flame retardant is a halogenated organic compound.
 9. Thecomposition of claim 8 wherein said flame retardant is a brominatedorganic compound or a chlorinated organic compound.
 10. The compositionof claim 2 wherein said flame retardant is an inorganic compound. 11.The composition of claim 10 wherein said flame retardant is chosen froma perborate, barium metaborate, and ammoniumfluoroborate.
 12. Thecomposition of claim 10 wherein said flame retardant is chosen from anantimony oxide, antimony pentaoxide, metal antimonate, aluminum oxide,alumina trihydrate, compound that comprises both an alumina and aphosphorus, molybdic oxide, ammonium octamolybdate, zinc molybdate,magnesium hydroxide, zinc stannate, zinc hydroxy stannate, and ammoniumsulfamate.
 13. The composition of claim 1 wherein said flame retardantis a diethyl bis(hydroxyethyl)aminomethyl phosphonate.
 14. Thecomposition of claim 1 wherein said flame retardant is a cationicphosphorylated starch.
 15. The composition of claim 1 wherein said flameretardant is a phosphorus-containing fabric softener chosen fromN,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammoniumchloride, N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2 phosphorylethyl methylsulfate, N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammoniumchloride, N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammoniummethyl sulfate, linoleamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate,cocamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate, steramidopropylPG-dimonium chloride phosphate, linoleamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloridephosphate, diethylN,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammoniumchloride, diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylmethyl sulfate, diethyl N,N-ditallowamidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammonium chloride, diethylN,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammonium methylsulfate, diethylN,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-ethyl-2-phosphonate ammoniumchloride, diethylN,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-ethyl-2-phosphonate methyl sulfate,diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-ethyl-2-phosphonate ammoniumchloride, diethyl N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-ethyl-2-phosphonateammonium methyl sulfate, diethylN,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-methylphosphonate ammoniumchloride, diethyl N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-methylphosphonatemethyl sulfate, diethyl N,N-ditallowamidoethyl-N-methyl-N-methylphosphonate ammonium chloride, diethylN,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-methylphosphonate ammonium methylsulfate, disodium N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethylammonium chloride, disodiumN,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl methyl sulfate,disodium N,N-ditallow amidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammoniumchloride, and disodium N,N-ditallowamidoethyl-N-methyl-N-2-phosphorylethyl ammonium methyl sulfate.
 16. Thecomposition of claim 15 wherein said composition is free of a fabricsoftening active.
 17. The composition of claim 1 wherein saidcomposition further comprises a fabric softening active.
 18. Thecomposition of claim 17 wherein said composition further comprises asilicone.
 19. The composition of claim 1 wherein said compositionfurther comprises from about 0.001% to about 10%, by weight of saidcomposition, of a perfume.
 20. The composition of claim 1 wherein saidcomposition further comprises from about 0.001% to about 10%, by weightof said composition, of an electrolyte.
 21. The composition of claim 1wherein said composition comprises from about 0.001% to about 60%, byweight of said composition, of said flame retardant.
 22. The compositionof claim 21 wherein said composition further comprises a fabricsoftening active.
 23. The composition of claim 22 wherein saidcomposition comprises from about 2% to about 90%, by weight of saidcomposition, of said fabric softening active.
 24. The composition ofclaim 1 wherein said composition further comprises a silicone.
 25. Thecomposition of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises from about0.5% to about 10%, by weight of said composition, of said silicone. 26.A method of softening a fabric comprising the step of contacting saidfabric with a composition according to claim
 1. 27. A method ofminimizing a risk of flammability of cotton-containing fluffier fabricscomprising the step of contacting said fabric with a compositionaccording to claim 1.